Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:12 — 9.3MB) | Embed
Once again, the title says it all. We look at mail in the ancient world, and take a look at the oldest known library.
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:24 — 10.0MB) | Embed
We pick it up from last time and finish the story of our alphabet, along with a look at where our numbers came from.
Check out our latest attempt at Phil’s show.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:35 — 10.9MB) | Embed
This time we start from the very beginnings of writing, and move on to just before the invention of alphabets.
Here’s part one of our latest attempted at Episode One.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:37 — 13.8MB) | Embed
The evidence is patchy and your hosts are daffy, but we try to figure out when language began.
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:15 — 11.2MB) | Embed
We look at how nonhuman primates use language, compare it to human language use, and guess how one turned into the other.
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 16:14 — 11.6MB) | Embed
An honest signal is useful for the one sending and receiving it. But, dishonest signals tend to destabilize the ability to communicate. How did human language develop when words make it so easy to fib?
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:07 — 12.4MB) | Embed
When differing animals meet, they sometimes communicate. Sometimes threats, sometimes lies, sometimes laughter. We take a look at interspecies communication.
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:40 — 10.6MB) | Embed
We begin a new subseries this week on language and communication. For starters, let’s have a looksee at how single-celled organisms chat.
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:08 — 11.8MB) | Embed
We didn’t notice it was going to be asteroid day until yesterday, but by coincidence, today is all about asteroids.
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:53 — 13.0MB) | Embed
Once thought a portent of doom, or a sign of the impending death of kings, nowadays a comet makes a good target to launch a mission at.
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